The construction of a 273-kilometer section of Uganda’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) is projected to inject Shs4.3 trillion into the national economy, with the government prioritizing local content in the project.
The SGR, which will eventually span a 1,724-kilometer network connecting Uganda to its East African neighbors, has a total project cost of 2.7 billion euros (about Shs11 trillion ). However, 40% of the total cost, or Shs4.3 trillion, will remain in the local economy through local sourcing of labor and materials, according to Dr. Richard Sendi, SGR’s head of planning and strategy.
“According to the contract we signed with Yapi Merkezi, the Turkish construction firm tasked with building the SGR, 40% of the inputs as well as labor will be sourced locally,” Sendi said yesterday at the Uganda Media Centre. He added that 90% of all labor, including 50% of managerial positions, will be filled by Ugandans.
Officials are actively working to ensure the participation of local businesses. Eng. Perez Wamburu, the SGR project coordinator, said a National Content Symposium is scheduled for this Friday to highlight opportunities for local suppliers of materials like cement, steel, and aggregates, as well as providers of services such as logistics, security, and healthcare.
Wamburu said the national content strategy is also designed to promote skills development through training, educational partnerships, and technology transfer.
The project is moving forward, with preliminary construction work already underway. Wamburu said that 80% of the compensation for project-affected people has been completed, providing the contractor with the necessary right of way. He noted that land acquisition has reached Buikwe, the ninth of 12 districts along the corridor.
“Valuation reports for Mukono, Wakiso and Kampala are currently with the chief government valuer awaiting approval,” Wamburu said, adding that compensation would follow shortly. Construction is expected to begin in March 2026.
The SGR is expected to significantly reduce transport costs and travel times. Officials project that the cost per tonne-kilometer will drop from $0.155 to $0.05, and the travel time from Mombasa to Kampala will be reduced from 14 days to just one.
Michael Mugabi, Managing Director of Housing Finance Bank, and Piyush Dixit the General Manager of Pearl Marina pose for a photo after the signing of the MOU with Pearl Marina Estate.
Kampala, Uganda –August 26, 2025 – Housing Finance Bank (HFB) and Pearl Marina Estates have today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that sets the stage for a transformative partnership aimed at redefining the real estate and housing finance experience for Ugandans.
John Baptiste Kaweesi, Head of Mortages and Consumer Banking at Housing Finance Bank, addressing the media at the Head Office during the signing of the MOU with Pearl Marina Estate.
The strategic alliance will enable Housing Finance Bank to provide tailored mortgage financing solutions that make homeownership more accessible and affordable, while leveraging Pearl Marina Estates’ innovative approach to property development. The partnership is designed to unlock new opportunities in Uganda’s housing sector by combining financial expertise with cutting-edge real estate solutions.
Speaking at the MOU signing ceremony, Michael Mugabi, the Managing Director of Housing Finance Bank, said: “At Housing Finance Bank, our purpose is financing a sustainable future for all. This partnership with Pearl Marina Estates aligns seamlessly with that vision by enabling sustainable homeownership and supporting real estate development across the country. Together, we are building a resilient ecosystem of professional real estate services, ensuring that customers receive comprehensive support from identifying the right property to structuring deals and accessing affordable financing.”
The MOU establishes a collaborative framework for innovation in housing finance, driven by data insights, customer-centric solutions, and operational excellence. It reflects both organizations’ commitment to driving sector-wide transformation while delivering long-term value to clients and communities.
Pearl Marina Estates welcomed the collaboration, commending Housing Finance Bank for its leadership in advancing sustainable housing finance. The two organizations pledged to work closely to ensure seamless service delivery and maximize the benefits of this partnership.
At the same event, John Baptist Kaweesi, Head Mortgages and Consumer Banking at Housing Finance Bank, remarked: “Uganda’s housing deficit, currently estimated at about 3 million units, presents both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. Through this partnership, we are positioned to bridge this gap by making mortgages more accessible and enabling more Ugandans to realize their dream of homeownership.”
“This is more than just a financial arrangement; it is a bold step towards shaping the future of real estate in Uganda,” Mr. Piyush Dixit the General Manager at Pearl Marina said. “We believe that by combining our strengths, we can accelerate growth, unlock synergies, and deliver meaningful impact to aspiring homeowners.”
The partnership marks a significant milestone in Uganda’s housing finance landscape and underscores the critical role of collaboration in driving innovation and economic growth. Both institutions expressed confidence that the MOU will create lasting value, not only for their customers but also for the broader community.
Ofwono Opondo receiving his declaration results from NRM electoral commission chairman Dr. Tango Odoi.
The former Uganda Media Centre (UMC) Executive Director, Ofwono Opondo has been declared the National Resistance Movement (NRM) party’s flag bearer for the Eastern Uganda Older Persons Member of Parliament (MP) seat ahead of the 2026 elections.
Opondo emerged victorious in a closely watched contest, defeating the incumbent State Minister for Older Persons, Dominic Mafabi Gidudu in a tightly contested race during the ongoing NRM elections for special interest groups at Kololo Independence Grounds on Monday.
According to results announced by NRM Electoral Commission Chairperson, Dr. Tanga Odoi, Opondo garnered 168 votes, surpassing Minister Gidudu’s 122 votes.
“On behalf of the NRM Electoral Commission, I declare Ofwono Opondo, having polled the highest number of votes, the NRM flag bearer for MP for older persons for Eastern Uganda,” Dr. Odoi said, formally confirming Opondo’s victory.
The win is seen as a major political upset, with Opondo, a well-known media strategist and former government spokesperson, outmaneuvering a sitting minister in a contest that drew significant attention across the region.
Opondo, who has previously held key positions in both government and media, is seen to use his mandate to amplify the voices of older persons in Parliament.
MTN-Uganda Chairman, Charles Mbire who owns 4% of the giant telecom shares.
MTN Uganda has today launched its inaugural Sustainability Report for 2024, marking a significant milestone in the company’s evolution from a telecommunications provider to a catalyst for sustainable national development.
The report contains achievements in environmental stewardship, digital and financial inclusion, building sustainable societies, and economic value creation, while also outlining MTN Uganda’s long-term ambition for 2030.
Speaking at the launch, Board Chairman Charles Mbire emphasised that sustainability lies at the heart of MTN Uganda’s long-term vision.
“This report is more than a set of numbers. It is a reflection of the lives we touch, the communities we uplift, and the future we are helping to build,” Mbire said.
He added, “As we grow, we remain committed to doing so responsibly; creating shared value for our stakeholders and for Uganda.”
CEO Sylvia Mulinge and BoU Governor Michael Atingi Ego.
The report highlights several milestones achieved in 2024. On environmental stewardship, renewable energy solutions were deployed across 538 base station sites, resulting in a 58.4% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions, far exceeding the year’s targets. This transition contributes to cleaner air, healthier communities, and alignment with Uganda’s climate goals.
In digital and financial inclusion, MTN expanded its 4G coverage to 87.9% and grew 5G coverage from 0.3% to 15.3%. The fibre network increased from 12,072 kilometres in 2023 to 17,774 kilometres in 2024, while data subscribers rose from 8.2 million to 10 million. Through MTN MoMo, Shs158.6 billion in transactions were processed, serving 13.8 million subscribers, and Shs1.5 trillion in loans were extended to households and businesses, supporting access to credit and economic participation.
MTN Uganda’s commitment to building sustainable societies was reflected in its Shs4.6 billion investment in community projects. This is up from Shs4.4billion invested in the previous year. The MTN Foundation supported over 16,000 learners through 35 ICT Resource Centres, trained nearly 4,800 young people in digital literacy, and expanded outreach through the Internet Bus initiative. Workforce diversity also improved, with women representing 51% of employees and 38% of senior management positions.
Economic value creation was another key achievement. Local supplier spending increased to Shs980.2 billion, with 72% retained within Uganda, while spending with women-owned businesses nearly doubled to Shs73.6 billion. The company contributed Shs1.27 trillion in taxes and supported over 300,000 indirect jobs nationwide, translating business growth into tangible societal benefits.
CEO Sylvia Mulinge described the report as a reflection of MTN Uganda’s purpose-driven business model.
“True success is measured not only in financial performance but in the lives we touch, the environment we protect, and the opportunities we create for the next generation,” she said.
She added, “Our growth matters only if it creates meaningful benefits for the communities we serve. That is why sustainability is at the heart of everything we do.”
General Manager Corporate Services, Enid Edroma, added that the report demonstrates both progress and areas for improvement.
“We are proud of the milestones achieved, from expanding renewable energy to empowering thousands of youth with digital skills,” Edroma said.
He noted, “But sustainability is a continuous journey. This report helps us measure progress and hold ourselves accountable as we strive to deepen inclusion, reduce emissions further, and expand opportunities for all Ugandans.”
State Minister for ICT and National Guidance, Godfrey Baluku Kabyanga, who presided as the chief guest, congratulated MTN Uganda on the milestone.
He commended the company for producing a report that, in his words, “goes beyond numbers, setting a standard of accountability and transparency that government would like to see across all sectors. It provides a mirror, showing where progress has been made and where more effort is still needed.”
MTN Uganda has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening environmental, social and governance standards, integrating sustainability metrics into executive performance, and adopting international reporting frameworks such as IFRS S1 and S2.
By 2030, the company aims to achieve integrated sustainability excellence while driving progress in line with Uganda’s Vision 2040 and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Adrien Kobusingye has been declared the new National Chairperson of the National Resistance Movement (NRM) Women’s League, defeating incumbent Lydia Wanyoto in a hotly contested internal party election.
NRM Electoral Commission Chairman Dr. Tanga Odoi announced Kobusingye’s victory at Kololo Independence Grounds during the NRM Delegates Conference.
Kobusingye secured 1,838 votes, decisively beating her closest rival Faridah Kimbowa, who managed 670 votes. Incumbent Wanyoto, popularly known as “Big Sister,” along with Joverine Kyomukama Kalisa, trailed far behind, marking the end of Wanyoto’s controversial tenure at the helm of the women’s league.
The incumbent, Lydia Wanyoto pulled out of the race amidst voting.
Elected Adrien Kobusingye.
Kobusingye, who has built her reputation as a grassroots mobilizer and advocate for women’s economic empowerment, promised delegates a new chapter of leadership focused on inclusivity, accountability and reviving the relevance of the Women’s League in party structures. She has previously been active in district-level women’s organizations and is credited for organizing rural women into cooperatives that have gained access to NRM empowerment programs.
Kobusingye’s appeal resonates more with delegates than Wanyoto’s elite image which many accuse of being detached from the realities faced by women at the local level.
The NRM Women’s League is responsible for mobilizing women across the country and amplifying their voices in policy and governance. The election of Kobusingye is therefore seen as an opportunity to revitalize the league ahead of the 2026 general elections.
For years, I lived without the affection I craved. Time and again, someone would enter my life loving me only for the relationship to end suddenly and painfully. Bit by bit, I began to feel that maybe love simply wasn’t meant for me. It hurt so much, especially seeing others in happy relationships while I remained alone and rejected.
One afternoon, a close friend confided something astonishing: she believed I had been spiritually blocked “bewitched,” she said. She recounted a disagreement we’d had back during school, and how, according to traditional wisdom, such conflicts can imprint negativity that hinders future relationships. At the time, I dismissed it but her conviction sparked my curiosity.
Desperate and with nothing left to lose, I reached out to Masunga Doctors. Located in Wakiso, Uganda, they offer powerful traditional healing services including cleansing rituals and love-related spells tailored to restore harmony in personal life. I contacted them via WhatsApp, shared my struggles, and was invited to a safe, confidential consultation.
During the session, the healer listened with empathy, explored my life experiences, and confirmed there was a spiritual blockage affecting my romantic life. They performed a cleansing ritual and cast a targeted love spell designed to remove this block and open me to genuine connection.
Almost immediately, I felt a lightness in my spirit an internal calm that radiated outward. People around me noticed the shift: I smiled more, carried myself with newfound confidence, and responded to life with openness.
Shortly after, I met someone incredible loyal, kind, and authentic. Our connection was effortless, and for the first time, I felt cherished in the way I always dreamed of.
Now, I’m happily in love, grateful for the change Masunga Doctors brought into my life. If you’re silently hurting like I was—don’t lose hope. Seek healing. I did, and it transformed my future.
A happy soul from KampalaMasunga Doctors Contact Information
Lt. Moses Mushabe poses for a photo with NRM electoral commission chairman, Dr. Tanga Odoi
The powerful Security Minister and former spy master, Major General Jim Muhwezi has been overwhelmingly defeated by a retired junior army officer, Lieutenant Moses Mushabe, in the internal National Resistance Movement party race for the position of National Chairperson of the NRM Veterans League.
The victory of Lt Moses Mushabe over the former spy master indicates shifting dynamics within its veteran ranks.
Mushabe secured 1,047 votes to defeat Muhwezi, who garnered 570. Also in the race were Jackson Walusimbi, who managed seven votes and Titus Erisa Kiwanuk with 11.
Mushabe, who serves as NRM chairperson for Isingiro District, secured the win during the ongoing NRM Delegates Conference at Kololo Independence Grounds in Kampala.
Delegates “soundly defeated” Muhwezi, according to eyewitness accounts, in what many described as a David-versus-Goliath contest both politically and militarily. The seat comes with a place on the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC).
Muhwezi, long regarded as a party heavyweight, boasts a legacy of senior roles in Uganda’s security and government. He is currently Minister of Security, a former Director General of the Internal Security Organisation (ISO) and a long-serving Member of Parliament for Rujumbura County. Despite this formidable record and expectations of an easy win, he was outmaneuvered by Mushabe, whose candidacy gained traction among delegates frustrated with unfulfilled promises to veterans.
Maj Gen Jim Muhwezi humbled after Veterans League loss.
Mushabe, regarded as a rising grassroots figure, declared his interest in the veterans’ league seat just two weeks ago. His campaign focused on veterans’ welfare, poverty alleviation, and delayed benefits. His decisive victory was met with jubilant celebrations, both at Kololo and online, where supporters praised him as a fresh voice for veterans.
Mushabe’s win challenges traditional hierarchies rooted in military seniority especially in a party still dominated by figures from the 1980s Bush War.
Muhwezi, whose recent parliamentary primary victory was upheld by the NRM tribunal has not commented publicly on the loss. Mushabe will serve from 2026 to 2031 with expectations that he will prioritize veteran welfare during his tenure.
The NRM Delegates Conference continues this week, with more CEC positions at stake as the party prepares for the 2026 national elections. The upset reveals a reality of both politics and the military ranks do not always guarantee victory.
The government has pledged Shs30 billion to support mosque Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders (Amirats) by establishing Savings and Credit Cooperative Organizations (Saccos) across the country.
Under the arrangement, each district will receive Shs100 million to kickstart a Sacco, giving leaders access to interest-free loans aimed at improving household incomes.
The announcement was delivered at the Uganda Muslim Supreme Council (UMSC) headquarters in Old Kampala by Presidential Advisor on Poverty Alleviation and Mobilization, Moses Byaruhanga, during a send-off ceremony for Ugandan pilgrims heading to Saudi Arabia for Umrah.
Byaruhanga said the support was motivated by concern that many Imams serve communities voluntarily without pay.
“He therefore decided to support Imams and Muslim women mosque leaders by funding Saccos that will allow them to access interest-free loans to boost their household incomes,” Byaruhanga stated.
A total of 21 Ugandans were flagged off for Umrah under government sponsorship. They are part of a group of 100 pilgrims who missed Hajj two months ago due to visa delays.
Byaruhanga also revealed that the pilgrims will be fully sponsored for Hajj in 2026.
UMSC Secretary General, Haji Abbas Muluubya Ssekyanzi, hailed the gesture as historic, noting it was the first time the government had directly sponsored Muslims to perform Hajj.
“Hajj is one of the key pillars of Islam performed once in a lifetime by able believers, which is why the UMSC Haj and Umrah Office handles this obligation with utmost care,” he said.
Sheikh Ali Juma Shiwuyu, Head of the Hajj Department at UMSC, confirmed that travel arrangements had been finalized, with pilgrims scheduled to depart for Makkah on Monday, August 25, 2025.
The federal judge on Monday temporarily blocked the deportation to Uganda of a Salvadoran man whose case has become central to the controversy surrounding former US President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia, 30, was wrongly deported to El Salvador in March but later returned to the United States. He was arrested again in Baltimore on Monday by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on X.
Abrego Garcia, who had recently been released from a Tennessee jail where he faces human smuggling charges, had been allowed to return home to Maryland pending trial. The Department of Homeland Security, however, said he would “be processed for removal to Uganda.”
His lawyers immediately challenged the decision, and District Judge Paula Xinis temporarily halted the deportation while further hearings are held.
Abrego Garcia had reported to ICE in Baltimore on Monday as part of his release conditions but was immediately taken back into custody. Outside the ICE field office, protesters held signs reading “Free Kilmar” and “Remove Trump” while chanting “Shame, shame.”
The attempt to deport him to Uganda marks a dramatic twist in a case that has become a test of Trump’s aggressive approach to illegal immigration. Abrego Garcia had been living in the US under protected status since 2019, after a court found he could face harm if returned to his home country.
In March, however, he was among more than 200 people sent to El Salvador’s CECOT mega-prison as part of Trump’s immigration drive. The Justice Department later admitted he had been deported “in error” and returned him to US soil — only for him to be detained again on human smuggling charges.
Abrego Garcia denies the charges, but the Trump administration insists he is a member of the violent MS-13 gang involved in migrant smuggling.
Last week, federal officials offered him a deal: remain in custody, plead guilty to human smuggling, and be deported to Costa Rica. He rejected the offer.
“That they’re holding Costa Rica as a carrot and using Uganda as a stick to try to coerce him to plead guilty is such clear evidence that they’re weaponizing the immigration system in a manner that is completely unconstitutional,” his lawyer Simon Sandoval-Moshenberg told reporters.
The case has become emblematic of Trump’s immigration crackdown, hailed by his supporters as tough enforcement, but condemned by legal experts and human rights advocates as chaotic, unlawful, and unconstitutional.
The ruling National Resistance Movement (NRM) party has suspended elections for its Entrepreneurs League following reports of widespread irregularities and the withdrawal of one of the contenders from the race.
The suspension was announced after former Tororo Municipality MP Sanjay Taana, pulled out of the contest, arguing that the credibility of the election had been fatally compromised. In his petition to the NRM Secretary General, Tanna cited “grave irregularities,” including bribery, the ferrying of voters, and deliberate inaccessibility of the voter base.
“Together with fellow candidates, I first submitted a joint petition on Aug. 17, later raised the same concerns before CEC during vetting on Aug. 21, and again through my formal letter of Aug. 23 to your office,” Tana noted in his letter.
He stressed that no corrective action had been taken despite repeated petitions, adding: “Regrettably, despite these efforts, the violations have persisted. The credibility of the election has, therefore, been fatally compromised.”
Tana further revealed that many delegates were lodged in hotels and shielded from lawful engagement, undermining transparency in the process. Despite his boycott, he reaffirmed his loyalty to the party, urging leadership to reflect on his concerns to strengthen internal democracy.
NRM’s Director of Communication, Emmanuel Dombo, acknowledged the concerns and said the party’s top organs would intervene should the situation escalate.
Before the suspension, the NRM Electoral Commission had instructed delegates that voting would be conducted by a show of hands after verifying names from the party register. The elections were scheduled to take place at eight different venues within Kololo Ceremonial Grounds to minimize confusion.
However, chaos within the Entrepreneurs League disrupted the entire exercise, forcing its postponement. Other elections, including those for the Women, Youth, Persons With Disabilities, Veterans, Elders, and Workers leagues, proceeded as planned.
The delay in the Entrepreneurs League vote is expected to have implications for the upcoming Central Executive Committee elections, which were due to take place this week.
The race for Entrepreneurs League chairperson had drawn eight contenders, among them prominent businessmen Hassan Basajjabalaba and King Ceasor Mulenga, alongside Phillip Kakuru Kwijuka, Shukla Mukesh, Robert Mwesigwa Rukaari, Edison Ruyondo, and Ssemwanga Gyaviira.
